ETHICS IN INFERTILITY TREATMENT

Authors

  • Mark Hamilton Aberdeen Maternity Hospital

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.v3i1.9

Keywords:

infertility, rationing, donation, surrogacy, abortion

Abstract

The author acknowledges the considerable advancements in the management of the infertile that have taken place in recent years and seeks to explore the fundamental ethical issues that inevitably arise. The rationing of services for financial or organisational reasons is explored, and other questions are raised: Does the donor of sperm or eggs have the right to anonymity or is that an infringement of the child’s right to information on their genetic make up? Should there be an upper age limit for women and men for donation and treatment? With genetic diagnosis sex can be determined, and abnormalities detected, what are the links with that information to abortion? A very thought provoking article that concludes with a personal comment on the polarised stances these ethical issues raise, and the place of the Christian healthcare professional somewhere in the middle, alongside the patients.

Author Biography

  • Mark Hamilton, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital

    Dr MPR Hamilton MD, FRCOG is Consultant Gynaecologist at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Foresterhill

References

AHUJA K., SIMONS E.G. 1996 Anonymous egg donation and dignity. Human Reproduction; 1996 11: 1151-4.

BALEN A.H., HAYDEN C.A. 1998 British Fertility Society survey of all licensed clinics the perform surrogacy in the UK. Human Fertility 1998; 1: 6-9

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN SCOTLAND 2000. Evidence and Equity: A National Service Framework for the Care of the Infertile In Scotland, www.show.scot.nhs.uk/publications/ME/eagiss.

ENGLISH V., SOMMERVILLE A., BRINSDEN P. Surrogacy 1997 in eds. Shenfield F, Sureau C. Ethical Dilemmas in Assisted Reproduction, Parthenon Publishing Group, London.

HFEA, 1998. Code of Practice, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, London:.

HFEA, 1999. Eighth Annual Report, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority., London.

HFEA, 1999. Consultation Document on Preimplantation Genetic Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing, London.

MCCONNELL T. 1997 Moral Issues In Health Care, An Introduction to Medical Ethics, Wadsworth.

RCOG Working Party 2000. Storage of Ovarian and Prepubertal Testicular Tissue; Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Report of a Working Party London.

SINGER P. 1993 Practical Ethics, Cambridge University Press

Published

2013-06-11

How to Cite

Hamilton, M. (2013). ETHICS IN INFERTILITY TREATMENT. Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, 3(1), 9-14. https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.v3i1.9

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